Quad cam v8 that reved to the moon, magnesium block thin as paper, whole bike weighed nothing more than the 9 gallons of gas on top...what a machine. Thank you, Brian.
From a 65 year Motorcycle crazy to a self described "non-motorcycle guy" , thank you ! You did a better job on the complete history of this bike than any motorcycle magazine I read ever did , I was also lucky enough to become completely immersed in Drag Racing starting in 1963 so your stuff means the world to me , thanks .
A 1960s raised gearhead I was completely enamored by drag racing's speed & power. However, I could only afford motorcycles - hence a lifelong love with them. Your videos/podcasts always help to keep the oil circulating around my brain. Thank you once more.
When i was kid in 1970, my dad had this motorcycle book. Its was full of useable formulas, final drive ratio, speed, cc to ci. Just full of that, and quite a write up about that guzzi V8. Cool you chose that for a new vid, very interesting.. Now i know, thank you!..
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,felt the same way,,,,,,,as a kid,,,,got up and rode the piss out of it,,,,,,,,When shit broke it was time for books and education,,,,,,lol...................I still build , weld , and ride my hogs at 74,,,,,,,,
I worked in Italy for 5 months in a Machine manufacturing plant. They still have old school craftsmen, and apprenticeship programs where they learn how to machine parts with manual machines while learning plc programming and core collegiate program. Like it was here in America when I started in the workforce 1978.
I’m not what you call a motorcycle head but, I do love a story about weird engines! That thing is cool and just imagine what if they kept improving it !
That is some brilliant engineering with a balance of simplicity and complexity. Even if it didn't pan out there is a lot to be learned from this little beast.
The Italian company Protar (unfortunately out of business now) made model kits of this bike as well as contemporary Gilera’s etc in the usefully large 1/9 scale. I had a bunch of these kits but had to sell them for economic reasons. I believe they fetch high prices on the aftermarket now and are not for novice modellers. Great video.
Italeri now owns Protar molds and has re-released several of their kits. Unfortunately, the Guzzi V8 isnt one of them. One would have thought the otto-cilindri would have been more popular than a V850 California...
@@orangelion03 Those old Protar kits definitely required higher modelling skills than Tamiya and Revell etc. Perhaps that, and the obscure subject matters, have played a part in it.
What an engineering marvel for its' time. I have always enjoyed motorcycles and their history. I had no idea about this one. Many thanks for another well researched , and presented story.
Brian, I LOVE this video! I read little bits about the Moto-Guzzi V8 in magazines going back to the 1960’s, but never saw any details. Great researching! Note at 8:11 the ignition runs two sets of four points, four for the front cylinders and four for the back! So set the jets and floats on eight tiny carbs then set the eight sets of points. If there’s a misfire better start from the beginning to find the cause. Not surprising the engineers found almost double the revs and way more horsepower over the years. One other thing - the aerodynamics. That style of fairing with the nose close to ground became known as Dustbowl fairings. They allowed bikes much higher top speeds but as they were developed they shifted the center of pressure farther and farther forward. No problem when the race course was shielded by trees on both sides but if a sidewind gust caught it the fairing acted like a sail. Eventually enough riders crashed that dustbowl fairings were banned, at least in the UK. I’m guessing the factories hated them but had to use them if other teams did. And racers are famous for their eagerness to give away safety if it means going faster. I imagine it was a great relief to the teams when they were outlawed, but not to the riders who were winning with them.
Unfaired motorcycles have rotten aerodynamics at speed with nearly any car being slicker. It was the dustbin fairings which gave them such incredibly high speeds, and the shape was mostly a result of the aero scientists of the time having only applied their craft to airplanes. Today's fairings are not only much slicker, they're also tuned to enhance handling.
@@P_RO_ Correct,these fairings were nicknamed 'dustbin fairing' rather than dustbowl. Side winds on the mountain road section of the TT circuit made the bikes notoriously difficult to keep on a predictable line of travel.
"we've got 4 motorcycles ready to go, but all 5 of our riders have been hospitalised by said motorbikes" is probably the most '1950s motorsport' situation that could possibly happen.
I find this type of content super fascinating, more so than the repeated successes of the dominant teams of the day. The workmanship of that era is beautiful, love to see their simple solutions to complex problems. Thanks
Another Great presantation Brian !!! I feel that Motoguzzi made a major mistake by not trying the 1958 season... The bugs were being worked out of the engine and more things were being discovered about the chasis , suspension, & tires/wheels...This was a machine that had so much potential that was just on the verge of becoming a legend... Unfortunately, it seems all to often that the owners of companies don't want to go the 'extra mile' to realise the success that was very likely awaiting for them to realise, not far-off... I guess that is one of the Key elements between success & Failure...Those who support the program or just want to be happy to remain Status-Quo, take their planned vacations, etc.... After Piaggio purchased the company, in 2004 , they now have seem to make a real comeback!!! One of 5 former Italian motocycle brands that are now owned and managed by real motorcycle people!!! Many different models of Moto-Guzzi motorcycles are now available... The last 20 years have been good for the Piaggio group, Particularily, Moto Guzzi!!! Today is: 12/16/24
This is why I like Moto Guzzi so much. I want to get a Guzzi and I think my wife will love it when she finally rides on one and possibly gets to drive it also.
Five months that's what ya call rapid prototype. Never saw a crankshaft - hirth- like that and didn't know you could smack valves into aluminum. That was some crazy speed on the tires available then. 👍.
That's amazing. I used to work for a Pro Fuel Harley drag bike team back in the early 2000s so I have a bit of an idea of what's going on there. And it's amazing, but sad that they didn't follow through when they were right on the cusp of success. Thank you for bringing us this intriguing story, Brian! I certainly appreciate it!
This is exactly the kind of video that showcases why I subscribed to your channel. If not for you, the odds of me ever hearing about this incredible little piece of engineering would be nearly zero. Extremely interesting.. Thanks for putting this one together.
Brings to mind a more recent attempt of a factory V8 motorcycle the 1998 Norton Nemesis 1500cc 235hp, only one production bike was built that someone has and is rebuilding and is running now.
I think you're referring to Allen Millyard. He has a youtube channel, and has built some absolutely bonkers motorcycles over the years. He's worth looking into
@@brianlohnes3079 We definitely need to get together sometime..As I told you before that I am about to start a build of a 1928 Morgan/GN special hillclimb racer...My channel is going to be named machines and motors..The first video is going to be on the combination drill press threading machine that I found..It was used to make the fuselages of airplanes but I am not sure when.. Hopefully some of the people who watch will let me know..here is th only existing 1928 Morgan/GN and it is in the UK and is raced to this day...here it is...ruclips.net/video/W9QMa7AUD-4/видео.htmlsi=wzu1WCaUt-7hjMU_
Coming from the heavy equipment world I find this stuff fascinating. Exotic little wonder from a different world. I could definitely watch more of this!
OMG, Mr Lohnes, great piece on a magnificent piece of engineering! Um, but - long time motorcycle guy here (and classic F1 era nerd), um, I mean this in the highest regard for your great work and knowledge, but it's "John SURtees" 😉
It takes passion and imagination, something the Italians seem to have in abundance, to create something like that. If memory serves, one of Ferraris first engines was a 1.5 liter V12. Thanks for another great video. I’m super grateful to have found your channel 🙏
The atmosphere within the race team at that time is anyone's guess. I imagine it was a combination of optimism and frustration. Mixed in with determination to make that project work. The level of effort very high. Good class room this morning, thank you. Like button energized.
Hoo Boy! There's a LOT of interesting stories in bike racing. Things like a 125cc that revved to 20K+ in the early 60's (Honda), the Norton Wankels, etc, etc. Would love to see some more of these stories covered in you style! Or, another thought would be the tale of the Eagle-Weslake V12 F1 engine that Dan Gurney raced back in the 60's - Or the tale of the Scarab F1 team. Both sorely neglected by most F1 commentators, largely for being both American, and mostly unsuccessful...
Thank You, Brian - In 1986 the championship looked like this: 1986 World Champions 500cc - Eddie Lawson (Yamaha) 250cc - Carlos Lavado (Yamaha) 125cc - Luca Cadalora (Garelli) 80cc - Jorge Martínez (Derbi) The 500 cc rule for the top bike is still in effect so at some point one of the top 3 figured out how to make 80hp from a 4cyl engine or maybe a V6 anyway it took them 10 years to match the Moto-Guzi - that is something to brag about ---> I FORGOT - Didn't we talk about doing the history on the Top Fuel Transmissions: Who was the first - Second - third etc. I think I was there the first time It was tried at Lions!!!
Wow! Had to bump up the resolution on my phone to get a better look at this insane engine. Staring at the 8 sets of points (see 21:54) reminded me of the days before my career as an emission repair specialist when I was the car clubs guy to see for syncing multiple carbs or setting dual point distributors. Setting the dwell on 8 sets of points just gives me warm fuzzies inside. Thank You! 18,000 views and only 1,500 likes ... really guys, give him a thumbs up for research and delivery.
The only engine that is in the same ballpark as this beauty is the Honda NSR 500, the oval piston jobbie. Again made to complete against an overwhelming tech advantage of the competition, but ultimately doomed. Still, as engineering masterpieces, Honda are the only ones to come close. Great vid and well put together, thanks for sharing.
Fun fact I just learned: superchargers were used on some GP bikes in the 1930s, but forced induction was banned after WWII, which is one of the reasons the 4 cylinder tech had stagnated by 1950.
The multi cylinder race bikes also had a heyday in the 1960s with the Honda HRC 4s 5s and 6 cylinder bikes and the MV Agustas. Many of the bikes from the supercharged era were twin cylinder engines but the supercharged AJS Vee 4 was legendary in the earlier era you mention.
They had one in the back at the importers’ (Berliner Corp.) display at a bike show during Daytona bike week @1968 not many people knew what it was, but at least I got to see it.
I'm with you Brian. I would rather hear about the folks that do the incredible, and fail, than all of the successes that are out there. You know, a Mercury Capri V6 in a trike might be pretty cool.... lol.
I can't remember their name but some Australian guys built a v8 using 600cc motorcycle cylinder heads and race the Chili Bowl with it several years back. There's a documentary on it here on RUclips. Very interesting. They changed the engine rules after and it was banned.
I have had 5 different Guzzis and have been to the factory museum.This was pretty tricky for it's era.Just a note Guzzi had DOHC 4v engines in about 1912
I've been waiting for someone to do a feature on this bike, thanks. I've only read about it in an old book called "Motorcycle Engineering, whose author I can't recall. Thanks again.
Super look at this remarkable engine. Revealed a few details I was curious about, especially the valve seats. On the Hirth coupling, they are bolted together, at least it was on the Adler two-stroke twin I had back in the early '60s. Without that, they would not hold up.
Brian, if you haven’t seen it already, you should take a look at Allen Millyard’s video series on rebuilding a Norton Nemisis 1500cc V8 motorcycle engine. Great stuff for a gearhead! Maybe you should make a video on the story of the bike.
Brian, another sensational video about something few of us knew about. I have to ask a favor. Could you do a comprehensive video about Malcolm Smith. I don't think many today know how influential he was to the American Motorcycle dirt racing story. Thanks again for this vid. The Italian casting industry of the mid century was absolute art. Thanks!!!
Sounds like a BDE version of a nitro RC car engine (actually I want this thing in said RC car) and I want it my my daily Ford escape. Seems like the Hayabusa V8 has an Italian grandfather after all. Great work and it goes without saying that this is the best sounding motorcycle of all time
'They say only the bravest of man can ride to limit and beyond' i must applaud you brian for telling a incredible story of one small company building engine that surpass most technical issues of the time (even if it took decades for some to be available in today's cars) buy also the riders who went full speed on how i describe is 'bicycle tires' make me happy i pick four wheels over two for safety reasons but we must respect them in pushing forward even if they lose a life 🫡 anyway thanks for today's video and have a nice day bye now later. P.S. Hey brian i have request for you is the story of smokey yunick working with epa on plymouth superbrid if you can 🤔.
,,,,,You might know ,,,,from my comments,,,,,I am a big fan of someone that brings forth machinery forgotton , unknown , and what -else ,,,, ,,,,anyway,,,,,,Thanks Brian as always,,,,I'm a bike guy too,,,,,,,,that motor at 5oo cc,,,, the 8 cylinders at such a watchmakers size,,,,,,WTF,,,,,,,the thing must of had beyond throttle response,,,,,,,WTF....
Quad cam v8 that reved to the moon, magnesium block thin as paper, whole bike weighed nothing more than the 9 gallons of gas on top...what a machine. Thank you, Brian.
That about sums it up! Thanks for checking this out!!
I love small displacement, high revving, high cylinder count engines. More of this would be much appreciated.
They are fascinating things to consider! Thanks for checking this one out!!!
@@brianlohnes3079 you should check out the honda rc 174. insane 60s race bike.
Might I recommend a few: BRM V-16, Honda CBR-RR 250 Fireblade, Mazda 787B, Ferrari F412-T2, glorious music, all of them!
From a 65 year Motorcycle crazy to a self described "non-motorcycle guy" , thank you ! You did a better job on the complete history of this bike than any motorcycle magazine I read ever did , I was also lucky enough to become completely immersed in Drag Racing starting in 1963 so your stuff means the world to me , thanks .
A 1960s raised gearhead I was completely enamored by drag racing's speed & power. However, I could only afford motorcycles - hence a lifelong love with them. Your videos/podcasts always help to keep the oil circulating around my brain. Thank you once more.
When i was kid in 1970, my dad had this motorcycle book. Its was full of useable formulas, final drive ratio, speed, cc to ci. Just full of that, and quite a write up about that guzzi V8. Cool you chose that for a new vid, very interesting..
Now i know, thank you!..
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,felt the same way,,,,,,,as a kid,,,,got up and rode the piss out of it,,,,,,,,When shit broke it was time for books and education,,,,,,lol...................I still build , weld , and ride my hogs at 74,,,,,,,,
I can't believe they squeezed a liquid cooled V8, that revs to 12grand, with only 500cc, amazing stuff, thank you for sharing!
The whole thing is mind boggling from top to bottom
I worked in Italy for 5 months in a Machine manufacturing plant.
They still have old school craftsmen, and apprenticeship programs where they learn how to machine parts with manual machines while learning plc programming and core collegiate program.
Like it was here in America when I started in the workforce 1978.
I’m not what you call a motorcycle head but, I do love a story about weird engines! That thing is cool and just imagine what if they kept improving it !
That is some brilliant engineering with a balance of simplicity and complexity. Even if it didn't pan out there is a lot to be learned from this little beast.
The Italian company Protar (unfortunately out of business now) made model kits of this bike as well as contemporary Gilera’s etc in the usefully large 1/9 scale. I had a bunch of these kits but had to sell them for economic reasons. I believe they fetch high prices on the aftermarket now and are not for novice modellers. Great video.
Italeri now owns Protar molds and has re-released several of their kits. Unfortunately, the Guzzi V8 isnt one of them. One would have thought the otto-cilindri would have been more popular than a V850 California...
@@orangelion03 Those old Protar kits definitely required higher modelling skills than Tamiya and Revell etc. Perhaps that, and the obscure subject matters, have played a part in it.
Protar Micromodels was owned by legendary racer Tarquinio Provini.
What an engineering marvel for its' time. I have always enjoyed motorcycles and their history. I had no idea about this one. Many thanks for another well researched , and presented story.
Brian, I LOVE this video! I read little bits about the Moto-Guzzi V8 in magazines going back to the 1960’s, but never saw any details. Great researching!
Note at 8:11 the ignition runs two sets of four points, four for the front cylinders and four for the back! So set the jets and floats on eight tiny carbs then set the eight sets of points. If there’s a misfire better start from the beginning to find the cause. Not surprising the engineers found almost double the revs and way more horsepower over the years.
One other thing - the aerodynamics. That style of fairing with the nose close to ground became known as Dustbowl fairings. They allowed bikes much higher top speeds but as they were developed they shifted the center of pressure farther and farther forward. No problem when the race course was shielded by trees on both sides but if a sidewind gust caught it the fairing acted like a sail. Eventually enough riders crashed that dustbowl fairings were banned, at least in the UK. I’m guessing the factories hated them but had to use them if other teams did. And racers are famous for their eagerness to give away safety if it means going faster. I imagine it was a great relief to the teams when they were outlawed, but not to the riders who were winning with them.
I'm as intrigued with the comments as with the video. Thank you for this contribution.
Unfaired motorcycles have rotten aerodynamics at speed with nearly any car being slicker. It was the dustbin fairings which gave them such incredibly high speeds, and the shape was mostly a result of the aero scientists of the time having only applied their craft to airplanes. Today's fairings are not only much slicker, they're also tuned to enhance handling.
@@P_RO_ Correct,these fairings were nicknamed 'dustbin fairing' rather than dustbowl.
Side winds on the mountain road section of the TT circuit made the bikes notoriously difficult to keep on a predictable line of travel.
"we've got 4 motorcycles ready to go, but all 5 of our riders have been hospitalised by said motorbikes" is probably the most '1950s motorsport' situation that could possibly happen.
As a Motorcycle guy and engine dude. "I Never Knew" Of this V8! THANKS!
they built a mini version of an aircraft engine they all wanted for years.
I find this type of content super fascinating, more so than the repeated successes of the dominant teams of the day. The workmanship of that era is beautiful, love to see their simple solutions to complex problems. Thanks
Thanks for feeling the same way I do. The wind and losses are a thing but the overall approach and daring of this machine are next level.
Another Great presantation Brian !!! I feel that Motoguzzi made a major mistake by not trying the 1958 season... The bugs were being worked out of the engine and more things were being discovered about the chasis , suspension, & tires/wheels...This was a machine that had so much potential that was just on the verge of becoming a legend...
Unfortunately, it seems all to often that the owners of companies don't want to go the 'extra mile' to realise the success that was very likely awaiting for them to realise, not far-off... I guess that is one of the Key elements between success & Failure...Those who support the program or just want to be happy to remain Status-Quo, take their planned vacations, etc.... After Piaggio purchased the company, in 2004 , they now have seem to make a real comeback!!! One of 5 former Italian motocycle brands that are now owned and managed by real motorcycle people!!! Many different models of Moto-Guzzi motorcycles are now available... The last 20 years have been good for the Piaggio group, Particularily, Moto Guzzi!!! Today is: 12/16/24
Note the “dustbin” fairing that covered the front wheel…it was outlawed because side winds wreaked havoc.
These things got more and more terrifying the more I learned of them.
This is why I like Moto Guzzi so much. I want to get a Guzzi and I think my wife will love it when she finally rides on one and possibly gets to drive it also.
I had a 4 valve Guzzi and it was a pile of shit! Honestly my son could design a better engine.
Five months that's what ya call rapid prototype. Never saw a crankshaft - hirth- like that and didn't know you could smack valves into aluminum. That was some crazy speed on the tires available then. 👍.
Great job!
You and Greg's Airplanes are my favorite channels!
Please look into Honda's tiny 4 strokes....
Oh yes Love the creativity of the 50-60's grand prix bikes - my favourite is the 5cyl 125cc honda making 30hp ,18,000rpm
That is incredible!
And the 250cc six produced around 60 bhp and the 500 four Honda with around 80 bhp ....a golden era of motorcycle racing.
Honda did every layout except a W I think. When MotoGP went 990cc 4 stroke, they dominated with a V5.
@@TomBuskey An exhaust sound never to be forgotten 🥹
This has become one of my ultimate favorite channels to watch I absolutely love it keep em coming man you are great I salute you sir!!!
Trivial stuff breaking and leaving me stranded sums out my experience of riding a 1978 Moto Guzzi T3 California
That's amazing. I used to work for a Pro Fuel Harley drag bike team back in the early 2000s so I have a bit of an idea of what's going on there. And it's amazing, but sad that they didn't follow through when they were right on the cusp of success. Thank you for bringing us this intriguing story, Brian! I certainly appreciate it!
What a beast of a machine, I wish I could go back in time & see these bikes race flat out & hear that screaming exhaust note
This is exactly the kind of video that showcases why I subscribed to your channel.
If not for you, the odds of me ever hearing about this incredible little piece of engineering would be nearly zero. Extremely interesting.. Thanks for putting this one together.
Another winning documentary from Brian Lohnes. Never heard of this engine before and now my life has been enriched by a new awareness. Thanks!
Brian’s videos are the only ones I like before the ad is even over! Another awesome deep dive as always from the awesome Brian Lohnes
Brian, you knocked it out of the ballpark. Again. Thanks for sharing. Great job. Keep em coming.
Brings to mind a more recent attempt of a factory V8 motorcycle the 1998 Norton Nemesis 1500cc 235hp, only one production bike was built that someone has and is rebuilding and is running now.
I think you're referring to Allen Millyard. He has a youtube channel, and has built some absolutely bonkers motorcycles over the years. He's worth looking into
Millyard for the win :)
Really awesome development process and a really innovative engine..Thank you Brian..Another awesome video..
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. The sound of this thing alone is just all time!
@@brianlohnes3079 We definitely need to get together sometime..As I told you before that I am about to start a build of a 1928 Morgan/GN special hillclimb racer...My channel is going to be named machines and motors..The first video is going to be on the combination drill press threading machine that I found..It was used to make the fuselages of airplanes but I am not sure when.. Hopefully some of the people who watch will let me know..here is th only existing 1928 Morgan/GN and it is in the UK and is raced to this day...here it is...ruclips.net/video/W9QMa7AUD-4/видео.htmlsi=wzu1WCaUt-7hjMU_
I've got a '62 Guzzi sitting right next to me as I'm watching this.
Another great story thanks Brian.
i had seen a photo decades ago of this " roaring mouse " but never got to really find out much history other then a v7 water cooled 500cc, thank you.
Another Banger from Brian!!
Such an amazing engine! I can only imagine playing with something like this with today's technology!
Coming from the heavy equipment world I find this stuff fascinating. Exotic little wonder from a different world. I could definitely watch more of this!
OMG, Mr Lohnes, great piece on a magnificent piece of engineering! Um, but - long time motorcycle guy here (and classic F1 era nerd), um, I mean this in the highest regard for your great work and knowledge, but it's "John SURtees" 😉
Man, I actually know a good bit about John, his motorcycle racing career, his F1 driving and owning career, and I STILL hacked it!
I am just as fascinated by old motorcycle GP racing as I am of old drag racing. I wish I could have been there for both.
Not a bike guy either, but the insanity of this is well, insane!
Quality as always.
Nice pronunciation with the Italian names too.
It takes passion and imagination, something the Italians seem to have in abundance, to create something like that. If memory serves, one of Ferraris first engines was a 1.5 liter V12. Thanks for another great video. I’m super grateful to have found your channel 🙏
Another great story. Always top notch articles.
That's a very fascinating part of history right there Brian. Thanks for covering this!
Please keep it up, I always love learning from your videos.
I winced thinking of balancing 8 21mm carbs. And setting the AF ratio by exhaust hue is plain badass. Thanks for posting this great story, Brian.
Wow that would have been amazing to see and hear run! I bet they sounded like a F1 ! Always love hearing these stories!
Just started winter lay off keep the videos coming❤🎉
I sure plan on it!!
The atmosphere within the race team at that time is anyone's guess. I imagine it was a combination of optimism and frustration. Mixed in with determination to make that project work. The level of effort very high. Good class room this morning, thank you. Like button energized.
I have not watched this video yet but i know the engine, epic that you made a video about this!!
Cool, glad you are pumped up about it!!!
Hoo Boy! There's a LOT of interesting stories in bike racing. Things like a 125cc that revved to 20K+ in the early 60's (Honda), the Norton Wankels, etc, etc. Would love to see some more of these stories covered in you style!
Or, another thought would be the tale of the Eagle-Weslake V12 F1 engine that Dan Gurney raced back in the 60's - Or the tale of the Scarab F1 team. Both sorely neglected by most F1 commentators, largely for being both American, and mostly unsuccessful...
Been a motorhead all my life, more than 50 years. There has never been anything made in Italy that has ever impressed me.
?
These are so interesting! thanks Brian.
Thank You, Brian -
In 1986 the championship looked like this:
1986 World Champions
500cc - Eddie Lawson (Yamaha)
250cc - Carlos Lavado (Yamaha)
125cc - Luca Cadalora (Garelli)
80cc - Jorge Martínez (Derbi)
The 500 cc rule for the top bike is still in effect so at some point one of the top 3 figured out how to make 80hp from a 4cyl engine or maybe a V6 anyway it took them 10 years to match the Moto-Guzi - that is something to brag about
---> I FORGOT - Didn't we talk about doing the history on the Top Fuel Transmissions:
Who was the first - Second - third etc.
I think I was there the first time It was tried at Lions!!!
Man, this would rad in a Go Kart!
Wow! Had to bump up the resolution on my phone to get a better look at this insane engine. Staring at the 8 sets of points (see 21:54) reminded me of the days before my career as an emission repair specialist when I was the car clubs guy to see for syncing multiple carbs or setting dual point distributors. Setting the dwell on 8 sets of points just gives me warm fuzzies inside.
Thank You! 18,000 views and only 1,500 likes ... really guys, give him a thumbs up for research and delivery.
The only engine that is in the same ballpark as this beauty is the Honda NSR 500, the oval piston jobbie. Again made to complete against an overwhelming tech advantage of the competition, but ultimately doomed. Still, as engineering masterpieces, Honda are the only ones to come close. Great vid and well put together, thanks for sharing.
NR500
Very cool
Its great when you drop videos at lunchtime, I can gorge out and enjoy your awesome content.
Enjoying your content, Thanks!
Brian the 16,000 rpm left me with a grin through the video .... Magnificent motor
Fun fact I just learned: superchargers were used on some GP bikes in the 1930s, but forced induction was banned after WWII, which is one of the reasons the 4 cylinder tech had stagnated by 1950.
The multi cylinder race bikes also had a heyday in the 1960s with the Honda HRC 4s 5s and 6 cylinder bikes and the MV Agustas.
Many of the bikes from the supercharged era were twin cylinder engines but the supercharged AJS Vee 4 was legendary in the earlier era you mention.
Wow. Two of my favorite things: High performance V8s and Motorcycles. It's a shame they didn't stick it out for another season or so.
Brian - Your Freakin Motorsports Knowledge is Insane ! Please Keep it Up !!
I remember it well.... yes I am old.... The Moto Guzzi V8 was amazing.... the main problem was ignition reliability.. no electronic systems then.
If I could only watch one RUclips channel it would this one every time. Thank you for the education Brian!
Brilliantly well researched and presented. Thanks
What an awesome presentation! 👏 ❤
Welcome to the Two-wheel side of MotoSports!
I’m a fan of motorcycle racing but diving into its history is bonkers!!!
They had one in the back at the importers’ (Berliner Corp.) display at a bike show during Daytona bike week @1968 not many people knew what it was, but at least I got to see it.
I'm with you Brian. I would rather hear about the folks that do the incredible, and fail, than all of the successes that are out there.
You know, a Mercury Capri V6 in a trike might be pretty cool.... lol.
Another one knocked outa the park! 👍👍😎
I can't remember their name but some Australian guys built a v8 using 600cc motorcycle cylinder heads and race the Chili Bowl with it several years back. There's a documentary on it here on RUclips. Very interesting. They changed the engine rules after and it was banned.
I have had 5 different Guzzis and have been to the factory museum.This was pretty tricky for it's era.Just a note Guzzi had DOHC 4v engines in about 1912
I've been waiting for someone to do a feature on this bike, thanks. I've only read about it in an old book called "Motorcycle Engineering, whose author I can't recall. Thanks again.
Thanks.
Super look at this remarkable engine. Revealed a few details I was curious about, especially the valve seats. On the Hirth coupling, they are bolted together, at least it was on the Adler two-stroke twin I had back in the early '60s. Without that, they would not hold up.
Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for this dive into a cute little engine! Bit sad it didn't do so well.
Thank-you for sharing your valuable research ,,, !
Great video! I've got a tick for sub 2L 8+ cyl micro engines - * 2.2L W22 cyl *
Brian, if you haven’t seen it already, you should take a look at Allen Millyard’s video series on rebuilding a Norton Nemisis 1500cc V8 motorcycle engine. Great stuff for a gearhead!
Maybe you should make a video on the story of the bike.
That dude is a genius. Been a fan for years.
Thank you so cool keep them coming dam what a great story 👏 ❤️!!
cool little motor, thank you
MV and Gilera made really sweet engines from that time too. Or the 1.5l 16 cylinder BRM from the 1940's and 50's is well worth a look too.
Brian, another sensational video about something few of us knew about. I have to ask a favor. Could you do a comprehensive video about Malcolm Smith. I don't think many today know how influential he was to the American Motorcycle dirt racing story. Thanks again for this vid. The Italian casting industry of the mid century was absolute art. Thanks!!!
While talking about unique motorcycle engines look up Hondas NR750 oval piston v4
Sounds like a BDE version of a nitro RC car engine (actually I want this thing in said RC car) and I want it my my daily Ford escape. Seems like the Hayabusa V8 has an Italian grandfather after all. Great work and it goes without saying that this is the best sounding motorcycle of all time
I never knew anyone made a v8 that was in a motorcycle!
And now you do! This thing is amazing.
Boss Hoss Cycles also does V8 bikes and V8 trikes. It’s nothing like this exotic wonder though.
Yes!!! more moto content.
_That's cute._
OG Hell Rider
Glen Curtis
'They say only the bravest of man can ride to limit and beyond' i must applaud you brian for telling a incredible story of one small company building engine that surpass most technical issues of the time (even if it took decades for some to be available in today's cars) buy also the riders who went full speed on how i describe is 'bicycle tires' make me happy i pick four wheels over two for safety reasons but we must respect them in pushing forward even if they lose a life 🫡 anyway thanks for today's video and have a nice day bye now later. P.S. Hey brian i have request for you is the story of smokey yunick working with epa on plymouth superbrid if you can 🤔.
Even 65hp from 500cc was legendary power per litre for 1955!
,,,,,You might know ,,,,from my comments,,,,,I am a big fan of someone that brings forth machinery forgotton , unknown , and what -else ,,,, ,,,,anyway,,,,,,Thanks Brian as always,,,,I'm a bike guy too,,,,,,,,that motor at 5oo cc,,,, the 8 cylinders at such a watchmakers size,,,,,,WTF,,,,,,,the thing must of had beyond throttle response,,,,,,,WTF....
👍😎👍 That was Great thanks for sharing.
Brilliantly told
The 'gear in gear' solution for adjusting cam timing or the conical valve guides are also a bit different compared to other engines of that time.
thank you
Fantastic!
Appreciate the enthusiasm and taking the time to drop a comment!!
Cool story thanks
The timing gear train appears to have a 4:1 primary reduction ratio and then 1:2 overdrive ratio at the cam gears.